Buzz words

[Arkacia]

For a long time the word "terrorist" was everyone's (or nearly everyone's) favorite buzz word. It was thrown about by the media like there was no tomorrow. If the government (and not just the US govt) needed support for something or wanted to rally the people around a certain issue it was almost certain that the word "terrorist" would pop up.

Over the last 6 months however I've noticed that "terrorist" has died down and "morals" and "morality" have taken its place. Our Prime Minister told the Australian people just before the election that sending Australian troops into Iraq was the "moral" thing to do. I see the word thrown around in threads on forums everywhere, mostly from goups using the word to excuse their views on certain issues (gay marriage, abortion, teen sex etc).

The question is what exactly is "morals". I always believed that morals differed from person to person and from group to group. For example, one cultural group considers homosexuality immoral, another considers it a normal practice. Which is right and which is wrong? Personally I don't think either are wrong and a persons morals are like religion. A private thing they should keep to themselves.

[Skeletor]

Interesting question you pose there Arkacia...
I'd have to agree with your viewpoint that morals are different depending on your cultural background. some that is not all. For example the killing of another human being is (as far as i know) immoral to all religions as is the taking of effects without the owners permission (stealing).

Lets face it at the end of the day morals are instilled in us by the nature of the society where we live and by ones religion.

Hmm i'm a bit at a loss at the moment to say much more, think i'll wait to see a few replies to this and some more opinions on this.

[Mick]

Yes good question....

I would define "morals" as being a persons sense of right and wrong.

A persons morals are learned from a very early age and are not always set once decided, a person can change their morals throughout their life as they mature and learn more. I think they are decided by many factors and even though people who are similar, ie twins, brothers, sisters, have similar morals they are not exactly the same.
The major factors in deciding a persons morals would be parents, culture, religion, the enviroment they are raised in and other influences, ie friends, teachers,media.

Morals are certainly an interesting aspect of life as they help define someone's personality and can be tricky to deal with sometimes. Ever been in a situation where you really wanted to do something but you knew it was morally wrong?

I think as well as having morals, people also regard them in different ways, some taking them very seriously and not bending for anything. Others may bend their rules slightly or a lot, depending on the person, they may know it's wrong but feel they are harming no one or they might know it's wrong but don't care enough to stop themselves.

Personally I think I have very strong morals and I stick to them no matter how much I am tempted, and believe me, I have been tempted a few times in the past. Lets just say I had an offer from a girl who was already attached which I refused. The way I look at those situations when they happen, even if you really want to do it, just put yourself in her boyfriend's shoes and think how you would feel if you were in a relationship and someone got involved with your partner. I know I wouldn't like it so I wouldn't do that to someone else.

I don't think there would be many people around who would not care if someone else got involved with their partner. Okay I do know about swingers, yeah there is an exception with them, though they must be a minority group. Anyway, excluding the swingers, it amazes me how many people that don't like the idea of their partner cheating, will go and cheat on their partner or get involved with someone elses partner.

Actually someone once told me this which I found to be a great guide, they said... "Treat people the way you expect to be treated"....it says a lot to me....

Anyway...i'm starting to wander off topic now :D

[Skeletor]

just quickly i think the phrase/proverb whatever it is goes 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' might even be from the bible! not sure

[Mick]

just quickly i think the phrase/proverb whatever it is goes 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' might even be from the bible! not sure

Yes actually I have heard that too, though i'm not religious so I don't know the bible. Means the same thing really,I like my version better, it's in plain english:D

[Skeletor]

hehee yeah i agree, but goes to show that even when not religious your morals have often originated from religious teachings....

[Arkacia]

Maybe second hand though. I've never been to church or heard a live sermon except bible bashers screaming on street corners and I tend to run from them :D.

The main problem I have with it is that people just seem to be sprouting the word without knowing what it means. Its sort of like they're saying "I believe this is wrong, so its immoral because I am a moral person and I don't do that". Thing is though their version of moral and mine may well be two different things.

An example is the Iraq war. One side may feel it would have been immoral not to go to war and free the Iraqi people from Saddam. The other side may feel its immoral to start a war that kills innocent people no matter what the excuse. Both sides are right in a way and both are wrong.

The problem comes when people get so bombarded with the word that it loses all meaning to them and they start to ignore it. I got very tired of the word "terrorist" and tend to switch off when I hear it now. Morals is heading the same way fast :).

[Freakums]

heh.
are we talkign about morals, here, or are we talmkign about buzz words?
I mena, what about . . .
"The environment"
extremely useful excuse these days. But I think a lot of peopel would rather have an economy and NOT strave in the streets rather then live but have to breathe slightly dirty air.
So many words are overused in the media these dyas that theyu no longer have any meaning, eh?
What about religion? I wonder how many peopel actually know what that means anymore?
Religion means somethign a lot of peopel belioeve so much in that they live it.
and some peopel think they are christian simply becuase they believe in god. Heck, even belief here. want to know a good example of good abnd clean religious people?
suiucide bombers.
I respect them. They at least have a clearer view of things then us.
not that I support them . . . . but, do you see what i mean?

[Will]

the word for today is random

[yarnellcg17]

Random is a good 1..you hear that quite frequently..

I have a buzz word although it's an acronym..WMD

[Arkacia]

I'm not going to delete the two previous posts because they are on topic and do sort of add to the thread but please remember posts in the Philosophers Playground and The Oracle must have a minimum of 20 words. This forum was set up for serious discussion and short posts really don't add much to the thread most of the time ;):)

[Freakums]

hmmm . .. this died quickly as soon a severybody finished talking about the terrorist thing . . . . .
what about other buzz words? anyone ever hear any election promise that had to do wioth sex drugs or booze?
I remember one not to lopng ago froma union leader wanting to leagalioze prostitution, for example . . . .
he got soemwhere around 1% of the vote, allowing for 1% error. befor ethat he was the u7ndisputed union leadfer . . . . bad exampel of a good buzz word, but it seemed likme a good idea to him, I guess!welll . . . lety';s see how this develops now . . .(if at all)

[yarnellcg17]

I never heard anything about that..that is a wild campaign issue.. crazy thing to run on..wonder if most of the votes came from johns and or prostitutes?
But I'm thinking this..to legalize.. it would either cause an increase of other crimes..such as abuse to women..

[JsWoman]

But, if you look at places that have prostitution legalized you don't have as many problems with sexually transmitted diseases or them being killed, or whatever... Not saying I want it legalized, but that's just something I've heard.

[yarnellcg17]

I dunno.. I can just see the almighty pimp..out there taking full advantage..and all that person cares about is money and not the women..so therefor.. I could see more abuse as an outcome..that is just my opinion..

[JsWoman]

Yeah, but in this place where it's legal, it's considered a real job, therefore they have no need for a pimp. Like I said, I'm not condoning it, just sharing what I learned.

[yarnellcg17]

I know you aren't condoning it..as it is an ages old subject..I do think the guy could have ran on a better platform ..such as doing something better for those in the union..I dunno where prostitution would come in to resolve union conflicts..

[JsWoman]

Who knows... Maybe making it legal for them to go and have their fun without fear of getting in trouble for it... *hmmmm*

[Freakums]

hmmm . . , didn;t mean for ti to go quite off topic here . . . we're still tlakign about buzz words!
but you do have some points, there, as criminal activity does tend to decrease when somethign is no longer a criminal actiovity! :rolleyes:

[JsWoman]

Ok, back to buzz words, since that is the topic we are supposed to be discussing...

Religion, terroists, sexual preditor (or however that's spelt), murder... SEXISM

Those are a few buzz words/phrases that I can think of, even though I know at least one or 2 of them are repeats.

[rowleyskater]

i dont get it guys ...? what is a buzzword

[ender1626]

I believe a buzz word can be classified as something someone says to insue people to do or say things that they wouldnt normally do. Kind of like during an election a president will bring up topics that he know's people are almot always gonna have an opinion about. For example medicare, terrorist, gas prices, religion, and so on. How's that for an explination? Thats my defination of a buzz word.